Pioneer Woman French Bread Pizza Recipe

Beloved Pioneer Woman French Bread Pizza Recipe

French bread pizza transforms ordinary ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece that sparks culinary excitement.

Classic comfort meets gourmet creativity in this simple yet impressive dish.

Crispy bread provides the perfect canvas for a medley of savory toppings and melted cheese.

The beauty of french bread pizza lies in its remarkable versatility and crowd-pleasing potential.

Robust flavors meld together, creating a satisfying meal that feels both familiar and innovative.

Weekend gatherings or quick family dinners become extraordinary with this straightforward recipe.

Everyone will appreciate the irresistible combination of crunchy bread, zesty sauce, and melted cheese.

French Bread Pizza the Easy Way

French Bread Pizza the Easy Way
  • Quick Comfort Meal: Transform simple French bread into a mouthwatering pizza in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous hunger attacks.
  • Customizable Flavor Adventure: Unleash your creativity by mixing and matching toppings, sauces, and cheeses, ensuring each pizza feels like a personalized culinary masterpiece that satisfies every craving.
  • Restaurant-Style Crunch and Melt: Achieve the ultimate texture contrast with crispy bread edges and gooey, melted cheese that delivers a restaurant-quality experience right from your home kitchen, without complex cooking techniques.
  • No-Fuss Cooking Process: Follow straightforward steps that require minimal prep work and basic cooking skills, making this recipe approachable for home cooks of all experience levels who want delicious results without spending hours in the kitchen.

What Goes into French Bread Pizza

Pizza Base:
  • French Bread, Deli Rolls: Crispy foundation for the pizza, best when fresh and soft.
Sauces and Cheeses:
  • Marinara Sauce, Pesto Sauce: Flavorful base that adds moisture and Italian-style taste.
  • Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Melty, stretchy cheese that provides rich and creamy texture.
Protein and Vegetables:
  • Italian Sausage: Hearty meat component that adds savory depth and protein.
  • Butter: Helps caramelize onions and enhance overall flavor.
  • Onion: Adds sweetness and depth when caramelized, creates complex flavor profile.
Optional Toppings:
  • Herbs, Vegetables, Additional Meats: Customizable ingredients for personal pizza preference.

Steps to Make French Bread Pizza

Steps to Make French Bread Pizza

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Heat the oven to 425°F, ensuring it’s completely ready for your delicious pizza creation.

Step 2: Prepare The Bread

Slice the French bread or deli rolls in half lengthwise and place them cut-side up on a large baking sheet.

Step 3: Layer Sauces And Cheese

Spread sauce on each bread half with these ingredients:
  • Marinara sauce
  • Pesto sauce
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Parmesan cheese (optional)

Step 4: Caramelize The Onions

In a skillet over medium heat:
  • Melt butter
  • Add sliced onions
  • Cook for 8-10 minutes until golden and soft
  • Transfer caramelized onions to a separate plate

Step 5: Cook The Sausage

Using the same skillet:
  • Add sausage
  • Break into small pieces with a wooden spoon
  • Cook for 6-8 minutes until completely browned
  • Ensure no pink meat remains

Step 6: Top The Pizzas

Arrange toppings on bread halves:
  • Cooked sausage
  • Caramelized onions
  • Optional extras like

* Pepperoni

* Sliced bell peppers

* Mushrooms

Step 7: Bake The Pizzas

  • Bake on the lowest oven rack for 8-10 minutes
  • Move to top rack
  • Bake additional 2-3 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Remove from oven and serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Smart Pizza Tips That Matter

Smart Pizza Tips That Matter
  • Select Sturdy Bread Base: Grab a robust French bread or deli roll that can handle generous toppings without collapsing under delicious weight.
  • Control Broiling Carefully: Monitor pizza closely during final minutes, catching the moment cheese turns golden and bubbly without burning edges.
  • Balance Topping Proportions: Mix ingredients strategically, preventing overwhelming combinations that might destroy the pizza's delicate flavor profile.
  • Caramelize Onions Perfectly: Transform raw onions into sweet, rich morsels by slow-cooking until they develop deep, complex flavor notes.
  • Spread Sauce Strategically: Apply thick marinara or pesto sparingly, creating a moisture barrier that keeps bread crisp and prevents soggy disappointment.

Store French Bread Pizza Right

Wrap tightly in aluminum foil or vacuum-sealed bags to prevent freezer burn and preserve the pizza’s original texture. Remove as much air as possible to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption.

Transfer to a freezer-safe container with a secure, airtight lid for optimal protection against odors and potential freezer damage. Stack containers carefully to maximize storage space and prevent potential crushing.

Label each package with the date of preparation and contents using removable freezer tape or a permanent marker. Track storage duration easily and ensure you consume the pizza within the recommended 2-month window for best quality and taste.

Add a Twist to French Bread Pizza

  • Veggie Lovers Bread Pizza: Swap sausage for roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach. Sprinkle feta cheese for extra tangy flavor and add fresh basil leaves after baking for a Mediterranean-inspired meal.
  • Spicy Pepperoni Crunch: Replace sausage with crispy pepperoni slices. Add jalapeños for heat and drizzle hot honey on top after baking to create a zesty, spicy version of the classic French bread pizza.
  • Chicken Alfredo Style: Use shredded rotisserie chicken instead of sausage. Replace marinara with creamy alfredo sauce and top with mozzarella and parmesan. Garnish with chopped parsley for fresh color and added taste.
  • Mediterranean Fusion: Use olive tapenade as sauce base, add crumbled ground lamb, roasted red peppers, and sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese. Finish with a drizzle of herb-infused olive oil for a rich, complex flavor profile.

Quick French Bread Pizza Recap

Culinary magic unfolds with Pioneer Woman’s French Bread Pizza, transforming simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Quick weeknight meals gain new excitement through this clever recipe’s simplicity and robust flavors.

Personalized toppings allow individual creativity while maintaining classic pizza charm.

Crispy bread creates perfect texture beneath melted cheese and savory meats.

Comfort meets gourmet in these delightful mini pizzas that promise satisfaction in every bite.

Passionate home cooks can elevate their dinner game with this foolproof method – so snap a pic, share your delicious creation, and inspire fellow pizza enthusiasts to embrace this delectable dish.

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Pioneer Woman French Bread Pizza Recipe

Pioneer Woman French Bread Pizza Recipe


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4.8 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Crispy French bread becomes pizza paradise with Pioneer Woman’s quick and easy recipe. Layers of melted cheese, zesty sauce, and customizable toppings create a mouthwatering meal you can whip up in minutes.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein Ingredients:

  • ½ lb sausage (Italian preferred)
  • Pepperoni slices
  • Canadian bacon slices
  • Goat cheese

Vegetable and Fruit Ingredients:

  • 1 onion, thinly sliced
  • Pineapple chunks
  • Sliced Roma tomatoes
  • Sliced black olives
  • Sliced bell peppers
  • Pepperoncini
  • Jalapeño slices
  • Sliced red onion

Bread and Cheese Ingredients:

  • 6 deli rolls or French bread, sliced lengthwise
  • 2 pounds (907 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for sprinkling)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) marinara sauce or pesto

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 425°F (218°C), positioning the rack in the lower third of the oven for optimal cooking.
  2. Slice the deli rolls or French bread horizontally, creating two equal halves with a flat surface for toppings.
  3. Spread a uniform layer of marinara sauce or pesto across each bread half, ensuring complete coverage to the edges.
  4. Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, creating a rich and even cheese base.
  5. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add thinly sliced onions and sauté until they transform into a soft, golden-brown caramelized state, approximately 8-10 minutes.
  6. Transfer the caramelized onions to a separate plate, then use the same skillet to cook the sausage, breaking it into small crumbles and browning until fully cooked and no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes.
  7. Distribute the caramelized onions and cooked sausage evenly across the cheese-covered bread halves.
  8. Optional: Add extra toppings like sliced peppers, mushrooms, or additional herbs to enhance flavor complexity.
  9. Place the prepared bread pizzas on a baking sheet and slide into the preheated oven, baking on the lower rack for 8-10 minutes.
  10. Shift the baking sheet to the top rack and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese bubbles and turns a golden-brown color.
  11. Remove from the oven, let cool for a minute, slice diagonally, and serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

  • Wrap leftovers tightly in aluminum foil to maintain maximum freshness and crispy texture when reheating.
  • Transform basic pantry ingredients into a gourmet-style meal without breaking the bank.
  • Customize toppings to match individual preferences, making it perfect for picky eaters or family gatherings.
  • Create a complete dinner in less than 30 minutes, ideal for hectic weeknight meal solutions.
  • French bread base offers a crunchier alternative to traditional pizza crusts, elevating the entire dining experience.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 653 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 925 mg
  • Fat: 38 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.

He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.

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